Meta plans camera-free smart glasses to sidestep privacy backlash

Meta appears poised to introduce a new generation of smart glasses stripped of the camera technology that has drawn intense scrutiny over privacy violations. Known internally as Luna, these frames could debut at next week's Meta Connect event, according to reporting from The Information.

Designed around audio, not video#

The Luna glasses eschew the video recording hardware found on Meta's existing Ray-Ban collaboration, replacing it with six microphones that enable hands-free conversations with Meta AI and the company's new Muse AI agent. Audio playback speakers round out the feature set. By eliminating the camera module, Meta has apparently managed to shrink the frame arms, bringing them closer in appearance to standard eyeglasses.

The company is planning to release the camera-free frames in two styles—Clubmaster and Burbank—with an October shipping target.

Addressing a serious reputational challenge#

The timing reflects mounting problems for Meta's smart glasses division. While Ray-Ban Meta frames have achieved commercial success, they've become entangled in repeated privacy scandals. The built-in camera has enabled misuse: bad actors have secretly recorded people without consent, sometimes deliberately targeting individuals for social media attention. Institutions from New York courtrooms to the United Kingdom's largest pub chain have banned the devices outright.

Meta has implemented a recording indicator LED designed to prevent tampering, but the company has found itself locked in an ongoing struggle as some users discover methods to bypass this safeguard.

The bigger AR picture#

Alongside Luna, Meta is expected to unveil Phoenix, an advanced augmented reality device capable of projecting virtual workspaces and screens into the wearer's field of view. This product aligns with Meta's earlier prototype revealed in 2024 and is targeted for 2027 launch.

Remaining uncertainty#

Removing the camera may offer only partial relief from privacy concerns. The concentration of microphones in a device designed to resemble normal glasses could prompt fresh worries about covert audio recording—a problem that recently surfaced with Apple's newest smartwatches. Given Meta's history of privacy missteps, earning consumer trust on this front remains a significant hurdle.